Hostage-Taker Is Fatally Shot by Police : Crime: Standoff between authorities, parolee in Santa Ana ends in gunfire.

After a four-hour standoff Wednesday night, police shot and killed a 28-year-old parolee who barricaded himself and his 17-year-old girlfriend in his apartment.

A SWAT team stormed the first-floor apartment about 7 p.m. after the suspect, who had been threatening to kill himself and his girlfriend, suddenly broke off ongoing negotiations and moved the woman out of police view, Police Lt. Robert Helton said.

Police said two officers fired a total of three or four shots. The suspect, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest, was hit in the face and killed. He has not been identified.

His girlfriend was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana but was not seriously injured, Helton said.

Police found no weapon immediately after the shooting but during the standoff the suspect had his hand wrapped in a towel, which appeared to conceal an object, Helton said.

Last week, a police officer who knew the suspect was a parolee approached him on the street, but the suspect began to run and dropped an assault rifle, Helton said. The suspect and officer scuffled and the suspect escaped.

Police, looking for the suspect, sent an undercover officer to his apartment in the 700 block of E. Chestnut Avenue at 3 p.m. Wednesday. The undercover officer contended he wanted to buy drugs.

A 17-year-old man in the apartment, however, threatened the officer with a tire iron when he suspected who he was, Helton said. Police moved in and arrested the 17-year-old, as the parolee fled to the back of the apartment and took his girlfriend with him, police said. The standoff then began as he threatened to kill her.

Police said the victim had a “lengthy criminal record” but did not provide specifics Wednesday evening.

The long standoff drew a crowd of about 200 people. At least 20 officers surrounded the apartment and a helicopter dropped a “flash pack,” which makes a loud noise meant to disorient the suspect as police move in.

Police also evacuated about five neighboring apartments. “I can’t believe it,” said Gene Ellis, a mechanic who knew the suspect. “I think (police) could have used some other tactic.”